This post is sponsored by West Virginia Department of Tourism 

This past week we took a winter getaway to West Virginia! Just being around three hours from Lancaster, it was the perfect distance to get away with our little kids. Our family has been under a lot of stress this year, so getting away before the holidays was a great opportunity to reconnect as a family and get some much needed r&r. Looking for things to do with kids in West Virginia this winter? Keep reading!

Being able to slow down and enjoy the Mountain State was just what our family needed. From the mountainous backcountry to history-packed byways, West Virginia has a scenic drive for every type of family. ​​I wanted to write up a quick guide of everything we ate, saw, and did during our trip. Keep reading!

 WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at a Mountainside Airbnb which was the perfect size for our family, and a great driving distance between nearby charming towns. It had breathtaking views and the sunsets were incredible - we would definitely stay there again! 

THINGS TO DO 

The first evening in West Virginia, we decided to explore the Town of Romney. We did a self guided walking tour of the historic town and took in all the holiday decor scattered around the area. My kids especially enjoyed looking at the decorated trees near Taggart Hall by local business owners. While walking around, we stopped into the local library and let the kids play with their stem toys and crafts - they also had a fun scavenger hunt going on that the kids were excited about! The small town offers many local events, while we were there we attended the Town Cookie Crawl and Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Many of the local businesses participated around Romney to offer cookies to families walking around town before the tree lighting. There were also Christmas carols, hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa - truly magical!

The next day, we visited Spring Valley Farm & Orchard’s roadside market for some farm-fresh delicious produce and canned goods for our stay. Everything was so fresh and festive! 

That evening, we took the kids to Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad to board the North Pole Express. Our family definitely made some core memories that evening. During the train ride, we sang Christmas carols, had cookies and milk, listed to stories, had a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Clause, and saw so many holiday lights along the way. 

Over the weekend, we took the kids to Art for All at The River House. Every Saturday between 12-3pm, they offer free arts and crafts for all ages and abilities. The kids were able to make holiday ornaments this week and everyone who worked there was so sweet and helpful during the process. 

Before we left, we stopped at Bent River Trading Co to explore a variety of products made by West Virginia artisans. They offer candles, syrup, and more for purchase. Perfect stop on your way out of town!

PLACES TO EAT

On our way into West Virginia, we stopped at The Farmers Daughter. This aesthetic butcher, grocery, and lunch spot was Voted West Virginia’s best burger in 2021 and the house burger did not disappoint! There was a place to sit and eat, or you can take it to go and sit at the community park two minutes down the street at their picnic tables. The kids spent a few hours at the playground and had a blast!

Since we had a late night at the tree lighting, we decided to pick up stromboli and pizza at El Centro Pizzeria Family Restaurant. We did online ordering and it was hot when we picked it up - everything was delicious!

The next morning, we grabbed donuts at The Bakery Barn. They also offer lots of baked and canned goods - perfect for a quick grab before heading into town! 

For lunch, we stopped at Romney Diner. This tiny lunch spot is a family-owned town staple, you can tell by the photos on the wall and everyone making conversation across tables. It’s definitely a local favorite and perfect brunch spot in Romney! 

We picked up Lost Mountain BBQ before the train ride for their sandwich combo meal. Ben and I both got Pulled Pork BBQ sandwiches and shared mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, and coleslaw. So yummy!

Before heading home, we had to stop for coffee and breakfast treats at The River House. I ordered their festive peppermint mocha and avocado toast, and I would do it again! I really appreciated that their atmosphere was kid friendly with craft supplies and games on the tables. 

If you are looking for a mountain state getaway with fresh air, world-class outdoor adventure, welcoming mountain towns, rich Appalachian culture and cuisine, and one-of-a-kind historic sites, definitely add West Virginia to your bucket list! To keep up with and learn more about our calendar of 2022 events, visit wvtourism.com to start planning!